[52]. Kaso Makes His Move

"Natives?"

Hearing those words, Bardock chuckled in fury.

The Saiyans were a supremely proud warrior race—if anyone ever called someone else a native, it was them. No one had ever dared refer to them that way. Not even Frieza.

The Saiyans behind Bardock bristled with rage, their bodies trembling in restraint. But seeing that Bardock hadn't given any orders, none dared make a move yet.

Bardock sneered. Given their current circumstances, it was absolutely crucial that no outsiders learned about the Saiyans' survival. And now these fools had insulted them?

They all had to die.

From the enemy's words, it was clear this was just a standard case of space piracy. Back under King Vegeta, Saiyans themselves had pulled off more than a few of these raids. But Bardock had long since forbidden such behavior among those under his command.

Now that he understood what was going on, Bardock felt more at ease. Small-time space pirates weren't afPhiliyated with any major force—there'd be no long-range comms or risk of them reporting the Saiyans' location.

So… he'd sit and watch a bit more before wiping them all out.

Bardock and his group remained silent, standing calmly on the sidelines. Kast quietly slinked back into the formation behind him.

"Hahahaha!"

The dog-faced space pirate laughed loudly, thinking Bardock's group was choosing to stay out of it.

Hearing his words, Yuna's expression darkened. She stepped forward and shouted, "Don't listen to them! We are of the Lolita Clan! If you help us, we will remember your kindness!"

"Bardock-uncle!"

Ausbi'er tugged on Bardock's sleeve.

Bardock cut her off. "Shhh. Just watch the show."

"Oh…"

Little Ausbi'er blinked and nodded adorably.

Yuna: "..."

She had just laid out their identity and plea for help, but that tall, muscular man had completely ignored her—more interested in teasing the child beside him.

Her teeth clenched in frustration.

The Lolita Clan's home wasn't far—only a day's journey by Zero-Class ship. If they could delay long enough for reinforcements, they might survive.

But seeing Princess Philiya's increasingly pale face, Yuna knew they were out of time.

Suddenly—

"Cough!"

Philiya coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Princess!!"

Everyone panicked.

Yuna turned toward Bardock again in desperation. And then—she saw it.

Every one of those figures had a furry tail coiled around their waist.

"Saiyans?!" she blurted out.

Philiya's dim, fading eyes flickered with light. She struggled to lift her head to look at the new arrivals.

Bardock raised a brow. These women recognized their race?

Following Yuna's gaze, he noticed the tails hanging from his people's belts—clearly exposing their identity.

"Interesting. But meaningless. You all still have to die," Bardock said coldly, his eyes devoid of emotion.

He could not risk the Saiyans' existence being exposed. No matter who these people were, they were a threat.

The space pirates, meanwhile, didn't seem to have noticed Yuna's outburst. The dog-faced leader grinned cruelly. "No one's coming to save you. Surrender!"

To him, this was the jackpot. A whole ship made of Zero Metal? The profit would be astronomical. He nearly drooled at the thought.

Even Jesus wouldn't pass this up, he thought.

"Take them!" he ordered.

At his command, the pirates raised their energy cannons and aimed at Philiya and the others.

The muzzles of the weapons began to glow, energy condensing into deadly beams, accompanied by a rising hum and bursts of crackling static.

"Elder Yuna!"

The female guards looked to her in panic.

Yuna stared at Bardock again, desperate. She shouted, "My ancestors once helped the Saiyan race!"

In truth, it had been the Saiyan ancestors who helped the Lolita Clan.

But she twisted the story—anything to make them lend a hand.

However, she had underestimated the Saiyans' cold pragmatism.

Bardock merely glanced her way and said nothing.

He had to put the safety of his people first. Even if what she said was true, he couldn't take any risks.

Yuna's heart sank. She looked down at Philiya in despair.

The princess had always been a genius. Despite the Lolita Clan's general lack of combat ability, Philiya had shown rare talent—even reaching a battle power of 1,500.

Such a prodigy… about to be lost.

Yuna shut her eyes, resigned.

The energy cannons were now fully charged. Terrifying pressure blanketed the area.

The dog-faced pirate cast a glance at Bardock—still no reaction.

Satisfied, he sneered. "Fire!"

Seven or eight beams of energy blasted toward the Lolita group.

The female guards, unwilling to die passively, fired their own energy weapons in return.

"Fools!"

The pirate leader, with 5,000 battle power, intercepted their shots easily—blasting them from the sky before they got halfway.

The laser beams continued toward Yuna and Philiya.

But just before impact—

A small figure appeared before them.

With a simple flick of his hand, the beams evaporated into wisps of smoke.

"Who are you?!" the dog-faced pirate roared.

"Bardock-uncle, why didn't you help them?" asked the small figure.

"Their life or death means nothing to me," Bardock replied flatly. "More importantly—where the hell have you been?"

As Bardock walked over, the Saiyans behind him followed.

"Lord Kaso!" they shouted in unison.

Dozens of voices echoed like thunder.

The dog-faced pirate: "..."

He was frozen in place.

That little brat had just disintegrated seven or eight fully-charged laser blasts—something even he couldn't do with such ease!

He swallowed hard.

The female guards—who had shut their eyes awaiting death—now opened them and patted themselves down, confused.

"That child saved us…" Yuna said in disbelief.

She had been sure they were done for.

But that little boy—he had a Saiyan tail too. He was one of them.

~~~------------------

Want to read ahead? Early 30+ chapters on my P@treon:

patreon.com/YonkoSlayer